Tether ball apparatus including roller bearing and vertical barrier

ABSTRACT

A versatile game apparatus which lends itself to the playing of a number of different skill games between two competing players or for individual game practice. The apparatus consists of an upright pole having a bearing on its top to which a line is attached. A game object, such as a tennis ball, baseball, shuttlecock, football, or the like, is tethered to the other end of the line. The bearing mounting allows the line to rotate freely about the pole such that players opposite to, or alongside, one another can strike the tethered game object back and forth. A simple base mounting arrangement is provided to connect the pole axially to an automobile wheel and tire so as to provide a support for the pole. A collapsible net releasably coupled to the upright pole is provided to form a barrier over which a game of skill associated with the apparatus of the invention is played. The upright pole also has a fixed hole proximate to its top, for attachment of a standard tether ball line thereto.

Anderson Feb. 5, 1974 TETHER BALL APPARATUS INCLUDING ROLLER BEARING AND VERTICAL BARRIER Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-B. Deon Criddle lluqa [57] ABSTRACT A versatile game apparatus which lends itself to the playing of a number of different skill games between two competing players or for individual game practice. The apparatus consists of an upright pole having a bearing on its top to which a line is attached. A game object, such as a tennis ball, baseball, shuttlecock, football, or the like, is tethered to the other end of the line. The bearing mounting allows the line to rotate freely about the pole such that players opposite to, or alongside, one another can strike the tethered game object back and forth. A simple base mounting arrangement is provided to connect the pole axially to an automobile wheel and tire so as to provide a support for the pole. A collapsible net releasably coupled to the upright pole is provided to form a barrier over which a game of skill associated with the apparatus-of the invention is played. The upright pole also has a fixed hole proximate to its top, for attachment of a standard tether ball line thereto.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures llb I? 3 1s PATENTEDFEB 519M 3.790.171

avgwgggatg 000 00 Q. 00000000 QQQO z00000g z INVENTOR. LEONARD R. ANDERSON ATTORNEY TETHER BALL APPARATUS INCLUDING ROLLER BEARING AND VERTICAL BARRIER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to skill game apparatus involving upright poles to which a game object is attached by a line.

2. Prior Art A number of pole arrangements mounting one or a number of lines connected to balls or like items are commonly known. A tether ball and pole is an example of one such game apparatus. It is commonly known that such a tether ball pole may be coupled with an automobile wheel and tire as a base to provide a sturdy vertical support but usually, such connections are permanent.

The present invention, though it is usable also as a tether ball pole, mounts a bearing arrangement on its top to allow a line joined thereto to swing freely about the pole. A number of games other than tether ball can therefor be played using the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an upstanding pole arrangement that allows a game object tethered thereto an unrestricted path of rotation about the pole.

Another object is to provide a collapsible net arrangement that is easily coupled to the upstanding pole to provide a barrier over which games associated with the invention can be played.

Still another object is toprovide a simple coupling for releasably joining the base of the upstanding pole to a vehicle spare tire and wheel, to provide a vertical support for the pole.

Principal features of the present invention include an upright pole on the topof which is mounted a bearing arrangement that allows a connected line full circle rotation. A tennis ball, baseball, shuttlecock or like item, is attached to the opposite end of such a line. The propelling of such a game object around the pole lends itself to individual game practice or contests between two players, with the game object being to propel such a game object around the pole past the opposing player.

A coupling arrangement is provided whereby the base of the upstanding pole can be releasably coupled to a spare tire and wheel to provide vertical support thereto.

A simple, low cost collapsible net arrangement is provided that attaches to the upstanding pole, thereby forming a barrier over which an individual can practice games associated with the invention or over which a game of skill between opposing players can be played.

A- hole is provided near the top of the pole to allow a standard tether ball line to be attached thereto, allowing the present invention to be used also as a conventional tether ball pole, with the line on the ball wrapping around the pole during play.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings disclosing what is presently contemplated as being the best mode of the invention. THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing a line that has a ball fixed to its end attached at its other end to a bearing arrangement of the invention;

FIG. 2, a sectional view taken within the line 2--.2 of FIG. 1 showing the bearing arrangement to which the line is attached; 1

FIG. 3, a sectional view taken within the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing a coupling arrangement for joining the pole base to a spare wheel, and a lower coupling of a collapsible net to the upstanding pole; and

FIG. 4, a vertical section view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. I and showing the upper attachment of the collapsible net with the upstanding pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings:

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, the game apparatus shown generally at 10 consists of an upstanding pole 11, mounting a bearing 12 on its top 11a. A line 13 is connected at its one end to bearing 12, and has a ball 14 fixed to its other end. Ball 14 typically is a tennis ball, a baseball, or a larger ball, such as a basketball or a volleyball, but other game objects such as a shuttlecock could be attached thereto. The bearing 12 allows line 13 and an object connected thereto to travel freely around pole 11. A lone player can propel the tethered game object away from him, on line 13, thereby rotating the game object around pole 11 and returning the game object to him to be caught or to be again propelled'in the same or the opposite direction. Similarly, two players standing side by side or opposite to one another can propel a game object back and forth around pole 11.

Pole 11 is maintained in an upright attitude by connecting it to a base member as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As illustrated, pole 11 is connected at its base llb to a tire and wheel unit 15. Tether ball type poles and like pole arrangements have long been vertically mounted in tire arrangements. The present invention is unlike former mountings, however, in that a releasable mounting to a useful spare tire and wheel is taught. The mounting 16 shown in FIG. 3, consists of a sleeve 17 having internal threads 17a formed within its topmost end. The bottom end of sleeve 17 is fixed to a plate 19 which has a hole 19a formed through its center and is arranged to have a larger width than the diameter of the central hub hole 20 formed in rim 15a of wheel unit 15. A bolt 18 projectsfrom a plate 19 within sleeve 17 through the holes 19a, 20 and a hole 21a of another plate 21 that is larger than the hole 20 and has a nut 22 threaded thereon.

Pole 11 has threads 11c formed inits base which are turned into internal thread 17a of sleeve 17 to hold the pole ll vertically erect. A plug 11d, formed of wood or like material, provides an end play in pole l 1, and facilitates the formation of threads 11c therein, even though the pole is made from thin wall tubing, by providing a rigid backing to the pole surface against which the threads are cut. The utilization of the plug 11d makes it possible to cut threads in a thinner gauge tube than could be used absent plug 11d.

Net barrier sections 24, shown in FIG. 1, are attached to upright pole 11 to provide a boundary over which a game associated with the apparatus of the invention is played. Each net barrier section 24 can be independently attached to the pole, or both can be connected thereto. Net barrier sections 24 each consists of a net 25, the perimeters of which are threaded through arms 26a and 26b, which are hinge connected together at 27. When arms 26a and 26b are spread apart around hinge 27 net 25 is made taut. The hinges 27 conveniently are formed of V-shaped plastic tubing of a size to snugly receive the ends of arms 26a and 26b.

The mounting arrangement whereby the ends of arms 26b are maintained to the bottom portion of pole 11 is shown in FIG. 3. Each arm 26b has a finger 28 projecting from the end thereof into a hole 29 in pole ll. Cradles 30 are mounted at their ends to project on an upward angle from the sides of pole 11 to provide rest supports for portions of the arms 26b.

As seen best in FIG. 4, each arm 26a is releasably maintained to pole 11 by inserting a stop 31, which is fixed to the end of a finger 31a projecting from the end of each arm 26a, opposite to hinge 27, into keyhole 32 formed through the side of pole 11. Each keyhole 32 has a short slot 32a extending downward from an enlarged hole, with the slot being too small for the stop 31 to move through. Therefor, by inserting stops 31 through the enlarged hole portions 32 and pushing the fingers 31a down into the slots 32a, the arms 26a are securely held to the pole 11.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the bearing arrangement 12 includes an inner raceway 36a, a number of balls 36b, and an outer raceway 36c. A bolt 37, extends through inner raceway 36a and is threaded into a plug 38 that is maintained in the top end 11a of pole 11. Washers 39a and 39b are shown positioned between the head of bolt 37 and the top of raceway 36a, and the bottom of the inner raceway and the plug 38, respectively. A pipe strap 40, that is arranged to be tightened against the outer raceway 36c by turning of screw 41, secures the end of line 13 to the outer raceway36c.

A hole 42 is provided through pole 11, near its top 11a, to allow a tether ball line to be attached thereto, allowing the game apparatus to also be used as a tether ball pole.

Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter which subject matter I regard as my invention.

I claim:

l. A game apparatus comprising a pole;

a bearing means fixed to a top end of said pole;

a line;

a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the bearing means such that the line, with the game object attached thereto, can swing freely around the pole;

support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and

a collapsible barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said collapsible barrier being formed by stretching a netting material between two arms which are hinged together at their ends and that have their opposite ends releasably connected, by appropriate means, to spaced apart locations on the pole, such that said netting material is stretched between said hinged arms.

2. A game apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means whereby the ends of the collapsible barrier are releasably connected to the pole consists of a pin projecting outwardly from the end of the bottom most arm, that is fitted into an appropriate hole formed in said pole; and

a stop means, formed in the end of the other arm, for

releasably connecting said arm into an appropriately formed hole in said pole.

3. A game apparatus comprising a pole;

a roller means fixed to a top end of said pole;

a line;

va game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the roller means such that the line, with the game object attached thereto, can swing freely around the pole;

support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and

a barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said barrier means forming an upstanding plane extending to above the level of the game object when said game object is suspended from the roller means.

4. A game apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the barrier means is collapsible. 

1. A game apparatus comprising a pole; a bearing means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the bearing means such that the line, with the game object attached thereto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a collapsible barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said collapsible barrier being formed by stretching a netting material between two arms which are hinged together at their ends and that have their opposite ends releasably connected, by appropriate means, to spaced apart locations on the pole, such that said netting material is stretched between said hinged arms.
 2. A game apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means whereby the ends of the collapsible barrier are releasably connected to the pole consists of a pin projecting outwardly from the end of the bottom most arm, that is fitted into an appropriate hole formed in said pole; and a stop means, formed in the end of the other arm, for releasably connecting said arm into an appropriately formed hole in said pole.
 3. A game apparatus comprising a pole; a roller means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the roller means such that the line, with the game object attached theReto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said barrier means forming an upstanding plane extending to above the level of the game object when said game object is suspended from the roller means.
 4. A game apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the barrier means is collapsible. 